It's been a while since I've set foot in a cemetery for genealogical purposes. Last week I took my preschooler out to a local church and cemetery to look around and take some photos.

(On a side note, did you know that tombstones are the PERFECT height for a 3 year old to hide behind? My nerves!)

After we found the very furthest reaches of the cemetery we turned back. I noticed something on the BACK of a few of the newer tombstones. Something I'd never seen before. There were etchings and pictures on the backs of the stones.

Most of them were harmless, like this one:

I do not like photos of the deceased on tombstones. I think it's morbid and creepy. That said, you can imagine my horror when I saw....

This.

Really? REALLY?

There aren't enough words to describe how awful this is. And tacky. And creepy.

Most folks find cemeteries depressing. I can understand that. Personally, I find cemeteries to be fascinating and peaceful. (But only during the day. You'll never find me in a cemetery after dark. I'm not that brave!)

Once I've completed the business portion of my visit (photos, taking notes, etc.) I often wander around to check out what mysteries might lie hidden, or to check out a particularly spectacular statue or stone. This large stone cross beckoned me the other day and I was quite sad to read the inscription:

Hartmann

Katie 1857-1875

Theodore 1866-1875

Michael 1868-1875

Joseph 1871-1875

Frank 1873-1875

Children of MIchael and Barbara Hartmann.

What on earth could have led to the deaths of 5 children in the same year? And not the parents? There were no major floods in London that year. Nor was it the year that the SS Victoria capsized. Hmmmm illness perhaps? Fire? Who knows?

Why a blog?

Family history just fascinates me. And not just my own. There are many facts and people that have been lost to time. I really enjoy puzzles and sometimes I come across some really interesting mysteries in my genealogy travels. I'll post some of my musings here.